🔗 Share this article Professional Player Kasatkina Ends Campaign Early, Pointing to Mental Exhaustion Ranked 19th globally Daria Kasatkina stated she is at her "limit" and has decided to end her tennis season early, labeling the demanding schedule as "excessive, mentally and emotionally." The 28-year-old athlete switched her citizenship from Russia to the Australian nation in the month of March, following voiced concerns regarding her home country's LGBTQ+ laws and the war in the Ukrainian region. Her performance suffered with consistency throughout the season, failing to secure a title and concluding with a record of 19 wins and 21 losses. The athlete linked the emotional stress from her nationality switch as a significant factor to her challenges, which involve not seeing her parent for several years. She wrote in a lengthy statement: "I've been far from fine for quite a while and, honestly speaking, my on-court showings reflect that." "I have reached breaking point and sadly I am not alone," she continued. "Combine the mix the emotional and mental stress related to my nationality switch and I can only handle so much I can deal with and endure as an individual woman." "If this makes me fragile, then I accept it, I am not strong enough," she stated. "Nonetheless, I believe I am resilient and will get stronger by taking a break and recharging." "The moment has come I listened to myself for a change." Fellow Athletes Similarly Ending Seasons Early Ex-elite competitors Elina Svitolina and Paula Badosa have also ended their seasons ahead of time in recent weeks. The Ukrainian star stated she had "not been feeling her usual self", while the Spanish player has spoken about the mental toll of an persistent back problem. Additional athletes have also spoken about the effect of the tennis calendar. A quintet of competitors withdrew injured in a pair of events in China last week, with multiple major winner Iga Swiatek saying the competitive year is "too long and intense." Tour Requirements and Athlete Issues The WTA has made it mandatory for elite athletes to compete in every major tournament, 10 WTA 1000 events and six 500-level tournaments. The majority of premier tournaments on the women's and men's circuits run for two weeks, as do all four Grand Slams. Competitors can skip required tournaments if they are hurt or have personal reasons, but they will not get any rankings points or financial rewards if they do not play. Ex-top ranked player Djokovic, who has slimmed down his tournament appearances in lately to preserve his health, has called on players to be better aligned in advocating for reforms.